Manchester United head coach Marc Skinner says that he is in favour of a review of the TV slots for Barclays Women’s Super League fixtures.
The Red Devils make one of their longest journeys of the season this weekend as they travel to Brighton & Hove Albion for a 6.45pm Sunday evening kick-off.
The game has been selected for live broadcast and while Skinner knows that this is part of the game, he believes that TV kick-off times should be reviewed to allow more accessibility for fans.
“It’s a TV slot and it’s one of those where for us, it is difficult because there’s the travel back and it knocks into the week but we are part and parcel of that cycle,” Skinner said when speaking in the pre-match press conference.
“The biggest impact is on the fans and it will be interesting to see how many are at the game. Even for local fans, a 6.45pm kick-off with school the next day, you’re deterring some of the younger fans that really want to see their heroes and role models.
“We are also away at Tottenham at 6.45pm. I’m not moaning about it as it’s part and parcel of the game. If you want to grow the game then the timing slots for availability of fans are really important. For us, we recover and move on but for the fans, maybe next season we can look at better slots which allows as many people as possible to get there.
“We all want to be available for TV but also, you want an atmosphere in the stadium because that’s what makes the performances what they are. Hopefully, in the future, we can look more at what that looks like in terms of accessibility for fans.”
Manchester United will come up against a Brighton & Hove Albion side that have struggled for consistency in the opening weeks of the new season. Skinner believes that opposite number Melissa Phillips will achieve her goals with the Sussex club over time.
He said “Mel came in late last season and she has transitioned her team from a very different style of play to the one that she wants to play. She wants to take ownership in the way that she wants to play.
“There are some very good points. I look at the players that they’ve brought in, Vicky Losada for example, who is a wonderful technician. It’s going to take a little bit of time to get exactly what you want but their attacking phases are very good and they’re aggressive. They’ve got a couple of players who used to be at Manchester United, so we know their qualities too.
“I think Mel knows exactly what she wants but it just takes a little bit of time when you’re trying to bring in a new style.”
Manchester United’s Barclays Women’s Super League fixture at Brighton & Hove Albion kicks-off at 6.45pm this evening.
About The Author
